'Smooth Criminal' Bass Sound - How It Was Made

Short video explaining the components that make up the bass sound on Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal", which just happens to be my favourite song! If there is enough interest I may turn this into a series, so please let me know!
Please watch Anthony Marinelli's (‪@anthonymarinellimusic‬) video on the muted piano if you have not yet done so, it was the inspiration for this: • 1st Look At MJ's "Smoo...
Many thanks to Rafeski ( rafeski_) for making the thumbnail for this video. If you need to buy artwork for your own projects, please commission him, he's a genius!!
Thanks also to Meta for providing the remastered Munich 1997 footage I used in this video.
Please direct some love to John Barnes, Kevin Maloney, Chris Currell and Greg Phillinganes for their work creating and recording these parts for the original record.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[@jokerfleckcast3196]

The entire BAD album had state of the art synths. Unmatched

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Definitely the peak of MJs career in terms of sound design. So many unique experimental tones all over this album.

[@shoutmj]

dude, you arent just a fanmade creator, you are THE fanmade creator.

[@ZeconMusicUK]

❤️

[@vouztyro]

please do make this a series this is sick

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thanks Ragna!!

[@sunsetxdriver7503]

omg yes

[@RebornAudio]

This absolutely fantastic. A great watch, and even greater listen, from start to finish!

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thanks Reborn, appreciate it!

[@j-prins61]

The layer at 3:00 i always thought was the “Feel It” setting on a DX 7 for that PVC pipe sort of sound. Very cool video!

[@ZeconMusicUK]

A lot of people seemed to have the impression that it was FM, I can see why, it does have that sort of character to it. I was shocked when I found the original sound and noticed it was just a sample of a tabla pitched down, really creative stuff!

[@orrinbynum5978]

This was a very interesting video to watch and see how the Pro’s put together a sound that is one of the best mixes in the last 30 or so years that people still live to hear and dance to. It’s genius.

[@YunoMeezy]

Definitely a look into the Bad bass would be appreciated, I've been trying to figure that out for weeks

[@ampelitofd_]

No way, Incredible

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thank you!

[@sunsetxdriver7503]

As a die hard fan this was very interesting! Keep up the good work!

[@thejonathandoan]

One of my favorite songs by Michael Jackson, and of all time. Such a killer tune! Thanks for the break down. Great stuff!!!

[@wolfgangmysticalformerlykn3330]

THE TIMBRE LIBRARY GIVE IT TO ME!!!!!!!!!

[@ZeconMusicUK]

That’s not possible I’m afraid ☹️

[@SamStormsKBD]

Unbelievable how deep you went in just a 5-minute video 👏🏻👏🏻

[@MJJacksonizer]

Zecon for President.

[@ZeconMusicUK]

its prolly like 20 feet?

[@SomeGuyNamedBill]

This video made me a subscriber. Please do more like this. I appreciate the breakdown a lot! Thank you fir making this!

[@nickojackson93]

I love it!!! Please do more!!! Thank you!!

[@ZeconMusicUK]

I will do, thanks for watching!!

[@AAAAAAJake]

Can you do an explanation on the monsters writers demo. I know you are in possession of the full demo vocals that were recorded many years ago

[@LarryTheCrackOut]

THANK YOU YOU HAVEN'T UPLOADED IN OVER 1 YEAR

[@MusicbyKabe]

would love to see more videos like this!!!

[@SudrianAfro]

This is honestly making me wanting to really write a Bad Era authentic Bad era track, brilliant stuff.an a

[@DariushMJ]

I remember that it sounds remarkably different in the LP version of the song though

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Hey Dariush, thanks for checking the video out! Are you referring to the original pressing of the LP or the subsequent revisions?

[@DariushMJ]

@@ZeconMusicUK Thanks for making it! I really enjoy your high quality content!! I'm refering to this version, which I believe is the original pressing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnalf3emi7qjeJI

[@nef.spring]

@@DariushMJSmooth Criminal was re-recorded and remixed in the late 80s, which was then released in 1991 on the ‘Black or White’ single. Michael wasn’t satisfied with the original version of SC, and while touring for BAD, called Chris Currell for a total redo. Chris got all the personnel to record the Synclavier parts again, and mixed the song on his own because Bruce wasn’t sure what Michael wanted to hear. Michael loved the remix and ended up using it on every release of SC since. Chris has never been credited for this remix.

[@LabyFlan]

Shit I'm late but this is great, man! I hope to see more videos like this.

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thank you! I’ll definitely make more.

[@extraterrestrial546]

Holy moly. This has got to be THE BEST smooth criminal audio breakdown I've ever heard in my life. Please make one on the rest of the instruments used in smooth criminal🎉

[@MichiLover75]

Great video Zecon :)

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thanks Michi! 🐱

[@ghostkid252]

This was so cool! Please do more.

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thanks! If there's any songs in particular you want to know stuff about, please let me know!

[@user-gp6cd8bv4o]

​@@ZeconMusicUKPlease Billie Jean David Guitar

[@danieltaylorworld]

please do more videos like this! this was great, more please 🙏🏽

[@ZeconMusicUK]

I will definitely do more, I’m glad you liked it!

[@GoIdenRecords]

Please do the Leave Me Alone bass sound next 🙏

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Great song! I’ll definitely cover some things about it in the future.

[@melissamati23]

Love to see a video of the string instruments in the song

[@ZeconMusicUK]

That’s a great idea! The final mix has a mixture of live and sampled strings, but the sampled elements are truly gorgeous and still hold up well today against the multi-GB orchestral libraries that are available now.

[@co.agmusic]

Would love you to do a breakdown of the bass on speed Demon

[@ZeconMusicUK]

That would be a fun one to do!

[@mjverse6711]

You gotta do Billie jean next since the bass plays a huge role in the song

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Will definitely cover some Billie Jean at some point!

[@n.m.cfitnessnhealth9727]

Daaamn okay.....i like it u did way better thn d others who try to remake it

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@kikomjmusic]

This is amazing, please do You Rock My World next

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thanks Kiko! I know a few things from You Rock My World but I'll try and get some more info together before I make a video on it.

[@lukasd1058]

Crazy good video!

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thank you so much!

[@Giova104]

You're back

[@ZeconMusicUK]

I average at about a video a year I’d say it’s going well 😂

[@richardparkinson5731]

Can you do a breakdown of the way you make me feel bass sound - there are definitely two tracks

[@ZeconMusicUK]

There are indeed two tracks, I can definitely do that one at some point!

[@NautiluxMedia]

I was able to get my hands on a portion of the NED sample library. I have actually found the original sample for the "Pop Bass" patch.

[@DOOMER_YT2]

Could you do a video about the bass from Blood On The Dance Floor?

[@orrinbynum5978]

Please making these kinds of videos so we future music enthusiast can learn from. Thank you. I wish you continue success in making all your future musical endeavors and I also wish you continued financial success as well.

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thank you for the kind words! I will definitely make more!

[@remixedbynick]

Only using tablas for bass from now on. Great video friend!

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thanks Nick! If there isn’t a tabla in your next remix I will be severely disappointed 😉

[@MichaelJackson123.]

I want. You to do michael jackson's pretty young thing vocal's next

[@DataScientist268]

Awesome. Please do more ❤.

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Glad you liked it! I will try to do more 😄

[@NautiluxMedia]

Next one should be the bass in the way you make me feel, I have not heard anyone come close to figuring out the technique for that one

[@ZeconMusicUK]

I can definitely do that one at some point!

[@Magalhaes400]

Top

[@MJAndRecreations]

ayy man u earned a new subscriber!

[@michaelpedersen7752]

i "liked" and "sub de" please make more shortys 👍

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thank you!

[@_fig.8]

aural forensics. absolutely love it

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thank you! I’m glad you liked it.

[@ducktard5236]

gr8 video.

[@ZeconMusicUK]

you were finally beaten to first comment, what are your thoughts?

[@ducktard5236]

fake news

[@gxd10edits85]

1:38 sounds like the beginning of leave me alone

[@volcano83]

I happened to be listening to the Bad album vinyl today and read through the credits including Smooth Criminal which said “muted piano.” I thought how in the hell could you tell where a “muted piano” was on this song? Then this video appears. Are you a wizard?

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Perhaps 🧙‍♂Thanks for checking the video out, hopefully it cleared up the muted piano query for you! I was equally as stumped when I first read the liner notes.

[@DJOZER5]

Whaou!👀🎹🎶❤️‍🔥🔥

[@MJJFAN-MADEVIDEOS]

Hi dude , quick question what happened to the evening with mj studio versions gone, if you have deleted them could you please re-upload them ???? Thanks !

[@ZeconMusicUK]

You should be able to find them in playlists as unlisted videos on my channel :)

[@MJJFAN-MADEVIDEOS]

I’m very sorry but do you know how to do that, I still can’t find the, 😅

[@omerso2030-zh5qq]

Can you please play only one note so i can sample it??

[@mokokoboy2221]

Smooth Criminal has unique magic 🪄✨ We have many great pop music songs but İt can't be this song if you collect all as a price 😌

[@groovefunkel]

Fantastic. Yes, do more of these.

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thanks Groove, glad you liked it! 😄 Will definitely make more

[@beastie3029]

the fact that i just watched a tiktok about this and got a notification for this for the video😭

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Shout out to Mr Marinelli! 😉 Thanks for tuning in!

[@omerso2030-zh5qq]

Where can i get the sample???

[@jimscott2050]

Zecon, you're a genius! I wonder where you got the timbre library?

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thank you! Original samples of these specific sounds were provided by a Synclavier owner, I don’t think the libraries are available (or indeed, translated from their original Synclavier hard drive format) anywhere online.

[@morpheoist]

as a synthesizer player I would have done it with a real bass and an effect pedal 😅

[@AzuraMusic]

❤

[@ZeconMusicUK]

the ultimate smooth criminal champ

[@AzuraMusic]

@@ZeconMusicUKthats us man

[@ethanwoollams3614]

Can you repost an evening with MJ

[@gogolmakistara2021]

Hi, awesome video! could you please recreate bass sound from "Brother Louie" by Modern Talking.

[@leidylabiano7806]

🔥❤️

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thank you!

[@c4zmir]

Different kind of content from you but I enjoyed it nonetheless

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Thanks for checking it out despite it being different from the usual stuff, I appreciate it!

[@rafeski_]

Monkey Business 2 hour video essay when?!

[@ZeconMusicUK]

only if you agree to do it with me

[@rafeski_]

@@ZeconMusicUKOfc ofc

[@cinemusicberlin]

Great video, but it's interesting how you play the bass line correctly the first time and then smuggle in a wrong note when presenting all the other sounds. Still great!

[@kamranhayden5866]

It's not a wrong note, it's how the song is actually played. All three distinct bass sounds are played differently to each other.

[@brunoguimaraes9523]

WHERE DID YOU GET THE SMOOTH CRIMINAL IMAGES WITH SUCH QUALITY?

[@ZeconMusicUK]

The live footage was provided by my friend Meta here on KZbin!

[@brunoguimaraes9523]

@@ZeconMusicUK link?

[@ZeconMusicUK]

@@brunoguimaraes9523 Can’t seem to tag him properly on phone but his handle is @Meta64_

[@zeroratedtm]

Its like it was beatbox

[@MJ1958EmilyDobreJackson]

First and I have a question to ask is tht fine?

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Sure!

[@MJ1958EmilyDobreJackson]

If u can choose 6 of ur favorite songs from Michael what would it be and do u know who Bruno Mars is if u do what’s ur favorite songs from him ps love ur remixes Zecon including the Smooth Criminal one and Who Is It❤❤😊

[@ZeconMusicUK]

@@MJ1958EmilyDobreJackson Thank you! Some of the songs in my list change, but at the moment it's probably Smooth Criminal, Billie Jean, Monkey Business, Stranger in Moscow, They Don't Care About Us and Little Susie. I like Bruno, haven't listened to him in a while. Grenade is probably my favourite song of his though. Thanks for watching!

[@MJ1958EmilyDobreJackson]

@@ZeconMusicUKnp and I like Grenade and Treasure bc it reminds of MJ lol I dedicate tht to him lol and yw Zecon ❤❤❤ keep making gr8 MJ remixes

[@DJDumter]

Love the video, but hpw do ypu add the timbres to the VST and create the samples? Is the same samples in the VST as presets?

[@ZeconMusicUK]

There are some samples from the original timbre library in the VST, but from what I recall, the ones in this video are omitted. The Arturia VST heavily focused its efforts on the FM synthesis portion of the Synclavier, there is the ability to have sample-based partials and resynthesis, but true multi-sampling like the original is not possible. These original samples were only single notes anyway, not multi-samples, so I just rebuilt the timbres from scratch in the VST.

[@gabrielvalerianomanalang]

3:54 looks like a 4k or FHD source of Munich. I wonder where did it come from?

[@ZeconMusicUK]

All HIStory Tour footage was provided by Meta, go check him out!

[@gabrielvalerianomanalang]

@@ZeconMusicUK oh, so it's from the great Meta! Thanks for the info!

[@gersoncorzo7055]

Wow

[@NautiluxMedia]

where may one hypothetically download these synclavier libraries?

[@ZeconMusicUK]

As far as I’m aware, they aren’t available in full online anywhere.

[@NautiluxMedia]

@@ZeconMusicUK I ended up messaging Kevin Maloney and the library was not necessarily something concrete, he said “Regen has a lot of them! The problem is there really was no set library. It kept growing and even names were changed/coded. My own library is a combination of my own samples/patches, NED stuff Prosonus (all sampled/patched by me into the Synclav, Denny Jaeger Violins and much more. We do have the original FM Timbre disks in Regen format but only a selection was hand picked for the Preset library.” This one website claims to have a bunch of them but they only deliver them on like synclavier compatible hard drives they didn’t even respond when I just asked for the sample files

[@dannyvili8729]

Can you make “who is it” bass?

[@XenoghostTV]

Dude literally just resynthesized Anthony Marinelli's video about the Smooth Criminal bass and reuploaded it 2 days later lol

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Anthony's video with Kevin is great, but this covers all 4 sounds used to make the bass in the final song, not just the muted piano layer.

[@1987rickjoy]

Can u give the smooth criminal’s snare sample Cuz the sample in the multitracks i have is little sounds weird

[@ZeconMusicUK]

The drums here are from one of the single mixes.

[@1987rickjoy]

So can you give the single Mixes multitrack session

[@ZeconMusicUK]

@@1987rickjoy It is not a multitrack, it’s just the mix.

[@AdeZ-]

Great video, loser when tho?

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Goodbye to you, goodbye to me, maybe tomorrow, maybe today, who knows, who will win

[@AdeZ-]

​@@ZeconMusicUK Excuse me sir, you got that incorrect, it's "Goodbye to you, goodbye to me, goodbye to you, hello world, maybe tomorrow, maybe today, who knows, who will win" How dare you get the lyrics wrong. You shall repent by serving a sentence of 2 hours remaking days in gloucestershire.

[@ZeconMusicUK]

@@AdeZ- turns out i am in fact the loser

[@brandbusters183]

How did you get the Snare?

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Drum backing track was taken from one of the official remixes from the single.

[@brandbusters183]

@@ZeconMusicUK thank you do you have a link?

[@mynameisntdave1523]

Good break from the usual political content

[@ZeconMusicUK]

live aid over bad?

[@nxoapl]

all be ok with ht in studio? thx

[@ZeconMusicUK]

Yes, the project gets worked on still every week.

[@nxoapl]

​@@ZeconMusicUKWhat happened to the setlist of "An Evening With MJ"? I can't find the videos or the link to download the audios.

[@toddbryant3487]

❣️ 'promosm'

[@Alyczander09]

Mj my bae

[@MJ1958EmilyDobreJackson]

AYE GET AWAY FROM HIM HES MY KING MY DADDY NOT URS GET AWAY FROM I WILL BE THROWING HANDS IF U TOUCH HIM

[@michaeliskingofpopxx9984]

@@MJ1958EmilyDobreJackson NO (grumpy face) HE IS MINE (NYAH >w

[@MJ1958EmilyDobreJackson]

@@michaeliskingofpopxx9984pulls out AK47 don’t try me